The marathon proved to be an excellent racing opportunity with Nedbank runners Lucky Mohale and Joel Mmone taking the lead early, and while the end victory was not theirs, they showed dominance making it a three man race for most of the course, which lived up to its promise of a flat, fast course that showcased raw speed.

Marathon: Nedbank Fills Top Ten, Mohale Fights Hard

In the men’s 42.2km race, the podium saw Namibian athlete Daniel Paulus secure third place for the Nedbank Running Club International with an impressive time of 2:16:50. This strong performance positioned him just ahead of his experienced teammate, Lucky Mohale, who finished fourth in 2:17:19.

Mohale, who had surged ahead earlier in the race, was part of a thrilling tactical battle in the final stretch. As SABC Sport noted, the lead pack, including Mohale, started pushing hard after the 36km mark.

Nedbank’s depth was evident in the top ten, with three runners placing 3rd, 4th, 6th, and 7th cementing their team strength in the debut race:

• 3rd: Daniel Paulus (NEDBANK INTERNATIONAL) - 2:16:50
• 4th: Lucky Mohale (NEDBANK CG) - 2:17:19
• 6th: Namakoe Nkhasi (NEDBANK LESOTHO) - 2:20:28
• 7th: Jesaja Matheus (NEDBANK INTERNATIONAL) - 2:20:53

Women's Race Highlights

The women’s field was equally fast, and the Nedbank Running Club showcased incredible international depth by placing four runners in the top six, and a total of five in the top ten. 

The race also marked the official return of former South African champion Mapaseka Makhanya (Nedbank Running Club GN) to competitive running in the green colours, finishing in the top ten with a time of 3:04:53. Nedbank Elite manager Nick Bester had earlier told SABC Sport: “Pio [Mpolokeng] is getting her back into shape and is pleased with her progress. She’s improving and showing signs of becoming a promising athlete again... we are delighted to have her.”

Nedbank’s top finishers included:

• 3rd: Siftolina Daba Chemeda (NEDBANK RC ETHIOPIA) - 2:40:43
• 4th: Mildred Chempkemei Kinyanja (NEDBANK RUNNING CLUB GN) - 2:45:19
• 5th: Keneni Germame Korme (NEDBANK RC ETHIOPIA) - 2:46:17
• 6th: Likeleli Majara (NEDBANK BY GRACE RUNNING CLUB) - 2:47:19
• 9th: Mapaseka Makhanya (NEDBANK RUNNING CLUB GN) - 3:04:53

Half Marathon (21.1km): Podium Success for the Green Dream Team

The 21.1km race was incredibly tight at the front. In the men's race, Simon Matias (Nedbank International) secured third place just seconds after the leaders in a time of 1:06:49.

The women's race was equally successful for the 'Green Dream Team,' with Karabo Mailula (RSA) taking the top prize (1:14:08). Nedbank athletes secured two of the podium spots: Lavinia Haitope (Nedbank International) claimed second in 1:14:12, followed closely by teammate Florence Nyaingiri (Nedbank International), who secured third place in 1:16:37.

10km Race: Fast Times Set in the Diamond City

In the women's race, Namibian Shiivomwene Shilongo from the Nedbank International dominated, winning in a speedy 34:38, two minutes ahead of her nearest competitor. These short-distance clashes provided high-speed excitement on Kimberley's streets.

5km Fun Run: Community Spirit Shines

The 5km Fun Run, attracting both competitive athletes and community members, was won by one of our development squad runners, Moleboheng Mohapi, in 19:41. The high turnout for the shortest distance highlighted the community engagement and gave our young runner her time to shine in this Kimberley's major road race debut.

A Promising Debut

The inaugural Diamonds & Dorings Marathon delivered on its promise of being a highly competitive, fast race with a substantial prize purse, successfully drawing South Africa's top running clubs. Nedbank’s strong showing, particularly with our runners dominating the top ten positions in both the men’s and women's races, sets a high standard for their performance heading into the 2026 ultra-marathon qualifying season.